Hey there, Elevate fam! As we head into a new cycle at the gym this week, we want to discuss a game-changing tip: tracking your weights. Keeping tabs on how much weight you’re moving during your workouts can be a total game-changer when it comes to reaching your fitness goals. And since our entire goal at Elevate is to help you meet and exceed your goals so you can get the absolute MOST out of every class, it’s only fair that we take a deep dive into how/why you need to be tracking your weights.
Why Tracking Matters
Okay, so why should you bother tracking those numbers? Well, here’s the deal: when you hit the gym, you’re not just there to break a sweat (although that’s definitely part of it). You’re there to challenge your muscles, push your limits, and make progress towards your goals. And tracking weights is like having a roadmap to doing exactly that.
By keeping track of how much weight you’re lifting, you can:
- Measure Your Progress: Ever feel like you’re just spinning your wheels at the gym, not really making any progress? Tracking weights puts an end to that frustration. When you can see how much weight you lifted last week compared to this week, you’ll be able to see your progress in black and white. And trust us when we say…there’s nothing more motivating than seeing those numbers go up.
- Set Realistic Goals: Want to get stronger? Build muscle? Lose fat? Whatever your fitness goals may be, tracking weights helps you set realistic benchmarks to work towards. Instead of just guessing at what weights to use, you’ll have a clear idea of where you’re at and where you want to go.
- Hold Yourself Accountable: We’ve all been there—skipping that last set or reaching for the lighter weights when things get tough. But when you’re tracking weights, you’re holding yourself accountable to your goals. You’ll push yourself to lift heavier and work harder, knowing that you’ve got those numbers to beat.
- Avoid Plateaus: Plateaus are the worst, right? You’re making progress, feeling unstoppable, and then bam—you hit a wall. But by tracking weights, you can avoid those dreaded plateaus. When you see your progress slowing down, you’ll know it’s time to up the ante and challenge yourself even more.
How to Track Your Weights
Now that you’re convinced of the importance of tracking weights, how do you actually do it? It’s simple, really…
- TRACK YOUR WEIGHTS IN ZEN PLANNER: Did you know that the app that you use to check the workouts for each day and reserve classes in can also be used to log your weights? During class, make sure you’re keeping track of things in Zen Planner. Not only can you easily refer to your PR on any given movement, you can also track past progress and, if you’re picking up a movement we haven’t done in a while, see exactly where you left off!! Another alternative to tracking in ZP (although that is honestly the easiest way) is to grab yourself a notebook and keep a journal of things yourself. Write down the exercises you’re doing, how much weight you’re lifting, and how many reps and sets you’re doing.
- Be Consistent: Make tracking weights a regular part of your gym routine. Whether you’re hitting the weights three times a week or every day, take a few minutes to jot down your numbers after each workout. Pro Tip: Try and make sure you log your weights before you leave the gym. It’s a lot easier to forget once you get home and life takes over!!
- Celebrate Your Wins: When you see those numbers going up, take a moment to celebrate your progress. Whether it’s adding an extra plate to the bar or hitting a new personal best, every success is worth celebrating.
- Adjust as Needed: As you get stronger, don’t forget to adjust your weights accordingly. Keep challenging yourself and pushing your limits—you’ve got this!
As you can clearly see, tracking weights is the secret weapon you need to crush your fitness goals and take your progress at Elevate to the next level. So grab your Zen Planner app (or notebook), and we’ll see you at the gym tomorrow to begin our next cycle!!
